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Researchers
identify an Early Predictor for Glaucoma

January 4, 2013 – A new study finds that
certain changes in blood vessels in the
eye’s retina can be an early warning that a
person is at increased risk forglaucoma,
an eye disease that slowly robs people of
their
peripheral vision.

Using diagnostic photos and other data from
the Australian Blue Mountains Eye Study, the
researchers showed that patients who had
abnormally narrow retinal arteries when the
study began were also those who were most
likely to have glaucoma at its 10-year end
point.

If confirmed by future research, this
finding could give ophthalmologists a new
way to identify and treat those who are most
vulnerable to vision loss from glaucoma. The
study was recently published online byOphthalmology,
the journal of theAmerican
Academy of Ophthalmology.

Unfortunately, because glaucoma does not
havesymptoms,
many people don’t know they have the disease
until a good portion of their sight has been
lost. Early detection is critical to
treating glaucoma in time to preserve
vision.

The, led by Paul
Mitchell, M.D., PhD, of the Centre for
Vision Research, University of Sydney,
supports the concept that abnormal narrowing
of retinal blood vessels is an important
factor in the earliest stages of OAG.

Tracking nearly 2,500 participants, the
study found that the OAG risk at the 10-year
mark was about four times higher in patients
whose retinal arteries had been narrowest
when the study began, compared with those
who had had the widest arteries.

None of the participants had a diagnosis of
OAG at the study’s outset. Compared with the
study group as a whole, the patients who
were diagnosed with OAG by the 10-year mark
were older, had had higher blood pressure or
higher intraocular pressure at the study’s
baseline, and were more likely to be female.

Elevated intraocular pressure, or pressure
within the eye, is often found in patients
with OAG. Study results were adjusted for
age, family history of glaucoma, smoking,
diabetes, hypertension, and other relevant
factors.

"Our results suggest that a computer-based
imaging tool designed to detect narrowing of
the retinal artery caliber, or diameter,
could effectively identify those who are
most at risk for open-angle glaucoma,” said
Dr. Mitchell.

“Such a tool would also need to account for
blood pressure and other factors that can
contribute to blood vessel changes. Early
detection would allow ophthalmologists to
treat patients before optic nerve damage
occurs and would give us the best chance of
protecting their vision.”

A symptomless eye disease like glaucoma
highlights the importance of regular eye
exams. The American Academy of Ophthalmology
recommends that everyone have acomplete
eye exam by an ophthalmologist at age 40and
stick to the follow-up exam schedule advised
by their doctor.

This January during Glaucoma Awareness
Month, the Academy encourages people to
learn more about the disease known as “the
sneak thief of sight.” People who have a
family history of glaucoma, or who are
African-American or Hispanic, may be at
higher risk. For more information on
glaucoma, itsrisk
factorsand, visitgeteyesmart.org.

About the American Academy of Ophthalmologyy
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the
world’s largest association of eye
physicians and surgeons —Eye
M.D.s— with more than 32,000
members worldwide. Eye health care is
provided by the three “O’s” –ophthalmologists,
optometrists, and opticians.

It is the ophthalmologist, or Eye M.D., who
can treat it all: eye diseases, infections
and injuries, and perform eye surgery. For
more information, visitwww.aao.orgThe
Academy’s EyeSmart® program educates the
public about the importance of eye health
and empowers them to preserve healthy
vision.

EyeSmart provides the most trusted and
medically accurate information about eye
diseases, conditions and injuries. OjosSanos™
is the Spanish-language version of the
program. Visitwww.geteyesmart.orgorwww.ojossanos.orgto
learn more.

About Ophthalmology

Ophthalmology,the
official journal of the American Academy of
Ophthalmology, publishes original,
peer-reviewed reports of research in
ophthalmology, including basic science
investigations and clinical studies.

Topics include new diagnostic and surgical
techniques, treatment methods, instrument
updates, the latest drug findings, results
of clinical trials, and research findings.
Ophthalmology also publishes major reviews
of specific topics by acknowledged
authorities.

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